Go Back
Macro close-up of Black Bean and Corn Quinoa Salad showing textures of fluffy white quinoa, yellow corn, and matte black beans.

Black Bean and Corn Quinoa Salad: The Ultimate Zesty Summer Bowl

A vibrant Black Bean and Corn Quinoa Salad featuring fluffy quinoa, plump corn, and a glossy lime dressing. Perfectly textured and protein-packed, this healthy salad is ideal for meal prep or summer gatherings.
Print Recipe Pin for Later
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 6 cups
Course: Lunch, Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: American, Southwestern
Calories: 210
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Salad Ingredients
  • 1 cup white quinoa 185g, rinsed thoroughly
  • 1.75 cups water 420ml, or vegetable broth
  • 1.5 cups sweet corn 250g, fresh, frozen, or canned
  • 1 can black beans 15 oz / 425g, rinsed and drained
  • 0.5 cup red bell pepper 75g, tiny cubes
  • 0.5 cup red onion 75g, tiny cubes
  • 0.5 cup fresh cilantro 15g, torn leaves
  • 4 tbsp lime juice 60ml, from 2 large limes
  • 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 45ml
  • 1 tsp sea salt 6g
  • 0.5 tsp ground cumin 1g

Equipment

  • 1 Fine Mesh Strainer Essential for rinsing quinoa and beans.
  • 1 Medium Saucepan For cooking the fluffy quinoa pearls.
  • 1 White ceramic bowl Provides a clean visual background for the colorful ingredients.

Method
 

Cook Quinoa
  1. Rinse 1 cup (185g) quinoa in a fine-mesh strainer. Combine with 1.75 cups (420ml) water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes before fluffing with a fork.
Prepare Dressing & Veggies
  1. In a small jar, whisk lime juice, olive oil, salt, and cumin until fully emulsified and glossy.
  2. Dice red pepper and onion into tiny, uniform cubes. Rinse black beans until water is clear.
Assemble
  1. In a white ceramic bowl, fold together cooled quinoa, corn, beans, peppers, and onion with the dressing.
  2. Scatter freshly torn cilantro over the top organically just before serving.

Notes

Ensure quinoa is completely cooled before adding vegetables to maintain a crisp texture.
Rinse black beans thoroughly to prevent the color from bleeding into the quinoa.